Who would have thought that the answer to ripped or faded clothing could be as nifty as a 3D printing pen that’s small enough to fit in your bag? Known as the Fabric Pen, this little device might be the simplest way to repair fabric snags when you’re on the go. You don’t even need a needle and thread.
Instead, this futuristic pen mends by 3D printing fabric. Incredible, right? This is all thanks to Ingrida KazÄ—naitÄ—, a Lithuanian designer, whose Fabric Pen was recently selected as one of 35 finalists in the 2014 Electrolux Design Lab competition.
Fabric Pen is a next generation fabric repair kit. It works by scanning damaged fabric and then automatically 3D printing a matching patch to fit the damaged area. The 3D printed fabric is attached to the loose fabric threads and quickly hides any damage.
It’s crazy impressive how the pen ensures the printed patch blends in by making it match the color and material of the damaged garment, but this device could be your chance to have a little fun, too. You could decide to print patches with different colors and patterns to customize your clothing. The options are kinda endless.
Kazėnaitė was inspired by Fabrican’s Spray-on Fabric, which is an instant fabric in a can that takes form as soon as it’s sprayed onto a surface. The result is a non-woven material which consists of interconnected fibers. The Fabric Pen draws on the idea of a fabric particle delivery system to fix any outfit in a flash, but makes it much more precise.
Currently, the pen is still in its concept phase. But it’s certainly a project worth bookmarking and keeping a close eye on — you know we will be. At the very least, this pen says a lot about where the 3D printing industry is headed. This is, after all, just one in a series of innovative 3D printing pens following CreoPop, the Lix and the 3Doodler. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
What do you think of the Fabric Pen? How would you customize your clothing if you could get your hands on it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.